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Oakdale Tree Board settles 2025 work plan, schedules spring plantings and buckthorn removal
Summary
At its Jan. 21 meeting, the Oakdale Tree Board agreed to finish buckthorn removal at Walton Park, outlined species for Arbor Day plantings and confirmed spring planting at Bethke Park; City staff described ongoing stump grinding, ash-borer prioritization and other maintenance work.
The Oakdale Tree Board met Jan. 21 to formalize parts of its 2025 work plan, agreeing to finish buckthorn removal at Walton Park, plant selected species for Arbor Day and stage a spring planting at Bethke Park using trees held at Public Works.
The board prioritized completing the Walton Park buckthorn project it began last year, with volunteers and staff planning follow-up clearing and stump treatment to finish the area where previous work reached about the midway point. Board members also confirmed four species for the Arbor Day planting: Japanese tree lilac, Kindercrisp apple, eastern white pine and river birch (a mix of clumps and single specimens).
Tim, the city staff liaison, told the board staff will supply the trees earmarked at Public Works — including swamp and burr oaks and several B&B specimens — and that the spring planting will be staged at Bethke Park. “We refurbished all the walking paths through there with the chips that we got from the ash trees in there,” Tim said, describing recent restoration work after removals. Board members estimated volunteers would plant roughly 20 to 30 of about 100 trees brought to the site; staff will pre-dig holes and supply mulch.
The board also discussed outreach and coordination: volunteers and board members proposed creating event photos and short videos for social media and the city website and asked staff about making signage when a recurring event changes location. Members said they will coordinate with City Hall to request photography or video at future events.
Staff updates during the meeting covered routine and storm-related maintenance. Tim reported ongoing stump grinding and targeted pruning on plow routes, work to clear limbs rubbing on public buildings, and that ash-borer removals are being handled as a priority on city-owned properties. He confirmed there is not a municipal removal subsidy for private trees, but said a citizen discount program for treating ash trees remains available into 2025.
Board members also reviewed work to finish parts of the Discovery Center tree trek and praised newly produced single-sheet trek maps intended for visitors. The board discussed tree species appropriate for mitigating stormwater runoff and asked staff to research siting guidance for trees on slopes and roadside corridors.
Looking ahead, the board left the work plan flexible to coordinate volunteer events, staff schedules and outreach needs, and agreed to continue finishing locations already started before opening new project sites.
